Football
Soccer

    AFCON final: Sadio Mane seals Senegal's first title after dramatic penalty shootout

    Sean FisherSean Fisher7 February 2022
    Sadio Mane sealed Senegal's first ever major trophy on Sunday evening.

    Sadio Mane sealed Senegal's first ever major trophy on Sunday evening.

    After missing from the spot earlier in the game, Sadio Mane stepped up to take the decisive penalty and win Senegal their first AFCON title.

    Senegal lifted the AFCON trophy for the first time in their existence on Sunday evening, following a dramatic penalty shootout.

    The game itself played out to be a tense 0-0 draw, but only after Sadio Mane saw his seventh-minute penalty saved by Gabaski.

    The sides still couldn't be separated after 30 minutes of extra time, leaving the final to be decided by a tense shootout, where Mane stepped up to seal the victory before Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah had a chance to take one.

    The victory marks Senegal's first ever major trophy, and their peformance warranted the win after they dominated much of the game.

    After Senegal's Saliou Ciss has been tripped inside the box by Abdelmonem, Mane was given a golden chance to put his side ahead, but Gabaski spared Egypt's blushes.

    Senegal continued to dominate posession, but the Lions of Teranga were swiftly reminded not to count out Salah - the 29-year-old threatened after half an hour but didn't connect with his shot.
    The Pharaohs looked understandably fatigued during the match, having played extra time in all of their knockout clashes during the tournament.
    With Egypt happy to defend and counter attack, much of the second half play came through Senegal, but no breakthrough came.
    Substitute Marwan Hamdy came closest to scoring for Egypt with 15 minutes remaining, but his glanced header across goal went agonisingly wide.
    Extra time followed, but chances were few and far between in the final 30 minutes.
    Kalidou Koulibaly and Ahmed Sayed both got their sides off to a good start in the shootout, but while Abdou Diallo extended the scoring for Senegal, Egpyt's Mohamed Abdelmonem missed.
    That gave Senegal the chance to take a crucial lead, but Gabaski again performed heroics to keep out Bouna Sarr and then Marwan Hamdi levelled the score at 2-2.
    Bamba Dieng stepped up next and confidently fired in, before Chelsea's Edouard Mendy got down well to save Mohanad Lasheen's effort.
    That left Mane to make an excruciating walk from the half way line and attempt to beat Gabaski for a second time in the match, knowing full well that Salah was next in line.

    But it was Mane that stole the headlines in the shootout, firing his penalty confidently into the bottom left corner to win 4-2.

    Following the game, Senegal head coach Aliou Cisse dedicated the victory to his nation, while also praising the commitment of his staff.
    "I dedicate this victory to the Senegalese people. For years, we have been chasing this cup. Today we will be able to put a star on our jersey.
    "Winning the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon has a special meaning. Winning against the most successful team in Africa is another symbol.
    "For almost seven years, we have been working. Good job, guys."
    Meanwhile, Egypt's assistant manager Diaa al-Sayed was left to answer the media, and addressed Mohamed Salah's disappointment after he was denied the chance to take a penalty.
    "Salah is a world-class player and his attitude is the same as anyone else. He was determined to win.
    "He has played in and won big competitions in Europe, but he really wanted to win this trophy for his country.
    "With him, we want to qualify for the World Cup. He is just like the captain of any team. He is disappointed that he didn't achieve his goal."

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